Chapter 1102: For the Future
By creating a wind barrier, Vahn was able to prevent the green liquid from reaching his face. This resulted in the chemical to splash across the floor, quickly eating through the stone tiles of the otherwise pristine Atelier. In the next instant, faster than the female Magus could perceive, Vahn used [Shundo] to appear behind her. To her credit, she tried to turn around and defend herself but, as she had not been expecting an enemy, she had no artifacts or Mystic Codexes located on her body at the moment. As a result, Vahn pressed his index and middle finger into the pressure point at the base of her neck, causing the woman's body to immediately go limp as she crashed down onto a thick mattress Vahn had set out to catch her.
Since she was still conscious, Vahn stated in a calm tone of voice, "I have not come here seeking conflict. However, if you insist on attacking me, I will be forced to defend myself..." As he said this, Vahn had to avert his eyes since the woman had landed rather awkwardly, her butt sticking up in the air without her lab coat offering any protection. He decided that the best place to look was towards Paracelsus who, throughout the small skirmish, just continued watching with a natural smile on his face. When Vahn looked toward him, he tilted his head to the side slightly, politely stating, "Please do not blame her. Neither of us was expecting guests so I'm sure you can understand her reasons for panicking..."
While throwing a blanket over the woman's body, Vahn nodded his head but asked, "I'm surprised how calm you are...were you not worried I would harm her?" From start to finish, Paracelsus had made no attempt to intervene, even though the woman should have been his former Master. She had lost her Command Spells after the Holy Grail War had come to an end, meaning she had no way of controlling him any longer, so the only reason they were still together is that both parties had come to an agreement. In response to his question, Paracelsus looked down at the blanket-covered woman with gentle eyes as he answered, "I could tell that you had no malicious intentions. Aside from that, I am a pacifist by nature...if you had come here to claim my life, I only ask that you not bury my research. With the knowledge I obtained through the Holy Grail, I can tell that this world is on the verge of collapse...I do not wish to see the children of tomorrow suffer for the mistakes of their parents and Ancestors..."
Vahn felt like the room became a little brighter as Paracelsus spoke, almost as if the man radiated a pure and holy light that made others ashamed to be in his presence. He seemed exactly like the kind of person Gray had described him as, causing Vahn to feel hopeful for the future as he clarified, "I have actually come here to offer you protection. You may not have a reason to trust me, but know that I intend to do my best to protect this world and its inhabitants. Though I would ask you to show a bit of patience, I intend to disclose everything you intend to publish without censoring any of it. My organization could use a man with your skills, Paracelsus...will you join me?"
Without much of a change in expression, Paracelsus simply asked, "Are you the one who claimed the Holy Grail...?" To this, Vahn shook his head without fear for being seen through, answering, "I joined in the Holy Grail War to make sure the Greater Grail was destroyed for good. An artifact that only existed to cause conflict between the Holy Church and the Mage's Association, all for something like having their wishes granted...I could not simply ignore it. There had already been too many innocent lives lost by virtue of nothing more than the greed of a few individuals..."
Paracelsus nodded his head in response but, as if he wasn't fully convinced, he then stated, "The greed of man is something intrinsic to their nature...just as others sought the grail to have their wishes granted, you sought it for your own personal reasons as well. Though your reasons may have been virtuous by comparison, it is also true that you are too willing to result to violence in order to shape the reality you wish to see...I do not wish to be involved with an organization that takes the lives of others. If you cannot promise me that, please do not try and force my hand...it would be better for the world if I continued my research in isolation. When my objectives are complete, I will send my work to as many people as possible, even if it costs me my life a second time..."
Realizing that it was actually going to be a lot harder to convince Paracelsus than he thought, Vahn released a tired sigh. He didn't really have any ground to stand on if he wanted to lecture the man as, instead of being 'ignorant' of the truth, it was obvious he had already accepted his fate. Even if his research was stolen a second time, so long as a bit of it reached the public domain, he would be content with the life he had lived. He simply wished to make the world a better place without adding to the overall negativity in the world, even if it cost him his life each and every time...
Casting a soundproof barrier around the slightly twitching female Magus, who was quickly regaining control over her bodily functions, Vahn looked into Paracelsus' gold-brown eyes before saying, "I can only admire the type of person you are, even if I cannot agree with your methods. However, what is at stake is something far bigger than our individual ideals. In ten years time, the world itself may be destroyed, including those precious future generations you dream of protecting. I am not asking you to fight, Paracelsus, as it would only shame both of us if I tried to insist on such a thing. What I am asking you to do is use your knowledge to help ensure the survival of mankind beyond the time limit we have been given. With your guidance and assistance, our chances increase exponentially...though it is true that I would like to learn from you as well, my highest priority is ensuring this world isn't destroyed due to the whims of a few monstrously powerful entities..."
Hearing Vahn mentioned the destruction of all mankind, Paracelsus' smile faded away for the first time as he asked, "What do you know that makes you so certain that mankind will cease to be in ten year's time?" In response to this, Vahn gave a nod toward Alaya that caused her to squint her eyes slightly before a surprised glint reflected across Paracelsus' eyes. Before he could ask the question himself, Vahn explained, "This is Alaya, the manifestation of humanity's will to survive. You may find it difficult to believe, but the truth of the matter is that a powerful and malignant force will be loosed on the world in ten year's time. If we are unable to stop it, the corruption it brings will encompass the entire world, wiping out humanity everywhere its influence reaches. There won't be any children to benefit from your research if we don't do everything in our power to prevent Angra Mainyu from destroying humanity...!"
Though Paracelsus was intending to ask why Vahn considered himself the authority to speak on such things, the existence of the peculiar blue woman made him feel a sense of crisis in his heart. He had the ability to see through the 'truth' of all things but, looking at the entity Vahn had declared to be Alaya, Paracelsus felt a sensation that he could only describe as 'unfathomable'. Though he couldn't sense her power, the one thing he could be certain of was that it was so vast that he wasn't even capable of comprehending it. For Alaya to be following Vahn, even if she wasn't truly who he claimed to be, Paracelsus knew things weren't simple. As for why Vahn didn't go to the Mage's Association and Holy Church with this information, Paracelsus was very aware of how they would react if they knew someone was directly affiliated with one of the World's Counter Forces...
After collecting his thoughts, Paracelsus had regained his calm, asking, "If this peculiar young lady is who you claim her to be, why would you need the help of a simple Alchemist like myself? Can you not simply ask for her to provide the same benefits my existence in your organizations would have provided? I dare not compare myself to one of the Counter Forces..." Since Alaya should also be the repository for all human knowledge, Paracelsus believed she was more than capable of providing Vahn the answer to any question he might have. The only benefit he would provide would be as a standalone researcher, something he would like to avoid since he was already doing that here at the bottom of the sea...
In response to Paracelsus' question, Vahn produced a wry smile as he asked, "Do you really think one of the Counter Forces is so easy to deal with? Alaya operates on the premise of equivalent exchange so there is a price for her assistance. Also...haaaaa..." At this point, Vahn suddenly gained a sincere look that caused Paracelsus' brows to raise slightly. Then, surprising him even further, Vahn said, "Truth be told, the organization I'm creating consists almost entirely of female Servants. The only exceptions to this are Merlin and Heracles, the former being whimsical in nature while the latter is still under the effects of [Mad Enhancement]. I honestly just want another man around that I can talk to and research alongside...I might not be as prolific as you, but I am an adequate Alchemist myself. I'm also a master level Blacksmith and an experienced researcher..."
Though it was somewhat awkward to admit, Vahn was genuinely worried that things would spiral out of control if he got his own island and filled it with strong female personalities like Heroic Spirits. The reason he wanted to research Homunculi over almost everything else was so that he could help the Heroic Spirits he summons manifest in 'real' bodies. If he had to deal with the 'upkeep' of every Servant he summoned, Vahn knew things would get out of hand very quickly. Due to the nature of Heroic Spirits, almost every single one of them had a tragic past and, from what he could tell, the vast majority of them seemed to be female. By the time Angra Mainyu appeared, Vahn could actually imagine himself being surrounded by tens of powerful female Servants, the majority of which he would almost certainly have slept with...
Not expecting Vahn's sudden 'admission', Paracelsus almost immediately released a ligh-hearted laugh that caused his peculiar visitor to turn slightly red. He suddenly felt like Vahn was more honest than he had expected, causing Paracelsus' impression of him to improve considerably. Most of his apprehensions evaporated away in an instant once he realized that Vahn really just wanted some male companionship. Since he could always leave or take his own life if it turned out Vahn was trying to deceive him, Paracelsus eventually stopped laughing before saying, "Very well. I cannot deny that research is far more entertaining when conducted alongside likeminded individuals. So long as you do not renege on your words, I will join your organization...?" Realizing he didn't even know Vahn's name yet, Paracelsus tilted his head to the side in curiosity at the end of his statement.
Hearing Paracelsus agree to join him, Vahn gave an awkward yet sincere smile as he said, "It is a little late, but my name is Vahn Aldrnari Mason. I will explain in greater detail later, but you should know that I held the status of Sage Emperor in a world far away from this one. Until I have the means of returning to my own world, I intend to do everything I can to make this world a better place. At the very least, I will not leave before making sure this world is safe from Angra Mainyu's influence..." Since Paracelsus would undoubtedly be one of his most trusted allies, Vahn wanted to be forthright with him from the start. Unless Alaya's allegiances suddenly changed, which didn't seem all that likely when considering the time scales used by Akasha and her Superiors, Vahn knew he could also rely on her to avoid any lingering dangers from other forces in the world until he was ready to face them directly. This meant he didn't have to worry too much about having his secrets exposed, not that he intended to go around telling the whole world who he was just yet...
In response to Vahn's introduction and statement, Paracelsus crossed his hand over his heart, bowing politely as he said, "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sage Emperor. Though it seems you are already aware of my identity, please allow me the privilege of introducing myself. My name is Paracelsus Von Hohenheim. Though I am certain she would prefer to introduce herself, that woman there is my partner, Tristana Valentinus. She can be a little hot-headed at times, but she is a good woman..." Though he had a slightly amused smile as he watched Tristana's butt wiggle around under the blanket, it was easy to hear the sincerity in Paracelsus' words. This came as a mild surprise to Vahn, leading him to ask, "Partner...?"
With the same kind smile on his face, Paracelsus nodded his head before explaining, "Though we had different viewpoints at first, Tristana and I came to an accord after we were attacked by that admittedly terrifying ability. Since her wish merely for her family to experience a change in fortunes, I had decided to take her on as a student. After that...well, she can be rather persuasive when she puts her heart into it..." Though he didn't say anything explicit, it could be inferred from Paracelsus' words that Tristana had managed to woo him. This made Vahn feel a bit awkward as, not only had he seen Tristana in her lingerie, he had even paralyzed her before putting her into a rather compromising position...
As if he could read Vahn's mind, Paracelsus lightly shook his head before saying, "You need not worry. Tristana would have been angry at you regardless of when and how you showed up. This could be an opportunity for her to grow...maybe? I must admit, my understanding of the opposite sex has always been at an elementary level at best, ahahahaha~." At this moment, Paracelsus' smile had become slightly awkward as he scratched his cheek. Now that he thought about it more clearly, it was almost guaranteed that Tristana would be upset with him for not coming to her aid. He would probably have to listen to her yell all night, doing his best to pacify her anger by simply listening to her ministrations in silence...
Though it looked like she would recover on her own soon enough, Vahn reached down before deftly tapping a few pressure points around Tristana's neck. She immediately inhaled deeply as, previously, it had been somewhat difficult to breathe with her body paralyzed in an awkward position. Then, as she hadn't been privy to the conversation between Paracelsus and Vahn, Tristana rolled across the mattress before bounding to her feet and assuming a combat stance. Her glasses had fallen off during the moment but, based on the focused anger in her eyes, it was likely she didn't actually need them. At the same time, she seemed to have forgotten her sense of shame as she made no efforts to conceal her body, instead shouting, "Who the fuck are you!?"
Knowing Tristana would probably be another one of his allies, albeit unwillingly, Vahn retained his composure as he answered, "My name is Vahn Aldrnari Mason, Sage Emperor and Master of the Heroic Spirits Artoria, Nobunaga, Scáthach, Lakshmibai, and Astolfo. I'm also the one who brought an end to the Holy Grail War, destroying the Greater Grail in the process. Now, I understand why you would be angry, but I would advise you to consider your actions carefully. In the future, we will be allies who are working towards the same goal. I would suggest you prioritize wearing proper clothes so we can discuss things under less compromising circumstances. I can't imagine you enjoy having a man other than your lover see your figure in lingerie..."
Hearing Vahn's words, Tristana's eyes widened as she quickly pulled together the front of her lab coat and exclaimed, "What do you mean we will be allies? Paracelsus, what is this...this idiot talking about!?" Now that she got a better look at Vahn, Tristana actually felt her heart twist as seeing him and Paracelsus side-by-side was quite the sight. Since he was still wearing a diving suit, there wasn't much left to the imagination as his figure was perfectly outlined for the world to see. She could even see a rather 'unnerving' bulge on his lower body that made her feel nervous as she instinctually inched towards Paracelsus for protection. Though it didn't seem like he had that intention, Tristana knew there wasn't anything she could do to stop Vahn if he suddenly decided to sample her...
Seeing Tristana suddenly shrinking away from him, Vahn couldn't help but frown slightly while, in response to her questions, Paracelsus answered, "Though our plans haven't changed all that much, we will now be joining the Sage Emperor's organization. The fate of the world is at stake so please do not try and refuse due to a bout of emotions, Tristana. You should have already realized that the Sage Emperor meant no harm...if he had wanted to harm either of us, there would be nothing I could do to stop him. Do not cause too much trouble, please..." Since Tristana had reached his side at this point, Paracelsus reached his hand out, gently caressing her shoulder in a placating gesture...
Though she was missing a lot of context, Tristana knew the matter must be serious if Paracelsus was saying such things. He wasn't the type that could easily be fooled nor convinced to take action as, even with the use of two Command Spells, she had failed to get him to act according to her wishes. This had frustrated her to no end at first, as she had sincerely wanted to obtain the Holy Grail, but her frustrations quickly turned into affection after she saw Paracelsus' memories. Only two days after their base had been moved, she asked him to teach her how to be a better Alchemist before, one day after that, managing to take advantage of his passive nature to lay a claim on him. Since it had only been the two of them here beneath the seabed, she had been enjoying their time researching and, even though all the flirting was done on her part, it was interesting to see his awkward and innocent reactions...
Deciding to trust in her Mentor/Lover, Tristana nodded her head before saying, "I need to change. When I get back, I want to hear all the details...and you, I don't care if you are an Emperor or even a God. Don't think I'll forgive you so easily for embarrassing me like that. You seriously need to learn how to treat a woman...hmph!" With these words said, Tristana stopped hiding behind Paracelsus as she walked 'confidently' without making any effort to conceal her body. She even raised her head in a haughty manner, looking at Vahn as if she were 'daring' him to say or do something. Now that she knew they were going to be allies, Tristana was significantly less afraid of Vahn as there was no way Paracelsus would agree to work with him if he wasn't a 'good' person. Since she had an extreme level of confidence in her own looks, Tristana felt like she could get away with teasing him a bit without having to face any consequences...
Realizing that Paracelsus and Tristana weren't even remotely close to being a 'normal' couple, Vahn furrowed his brows slightly in response to her teasing. This seemed to egg her own but, before she could flaunt herself any further, Vahn looked at Paracelsus before saying, "She certainly could use a bit of punishing...you'll have to excuse me this time around." With that said, Vahn sent a few threads of Source Energy through his domain, causing Tristana's eyes to widen in surprise as she jumped forward, yelping as she covered her butt. Vahn had sent a few persistent 'shocks' into her butt before plainly stating, "I am already more than satisfied with the women I have. Do not try to flaunt yourself before me, especially in front of your current lover. Paracelsus might humor your haughty behavior, but I specialize in breaking the pride of Nobles..."
With her butt still twitching from the suddenly electrical surge, Tristana rubbed her butt with a deeply set frown on her face as she complained, "You're an asshole..." However, instead of trying to flaunt herself before Vahn a second time, she pulled together the front of her lab coat before walking by him with quickened steps. When she finally left the room, Vahn shook his head before looking at Paracelsus and saying, "Sorry. I know it isn't really my place to 'deal' with her..." Perhaps due to his pacifistic nature, Paracelsus didn't seem at all upset by what had happened, actually going so far as to give Vahn an apologetic smile as he explained, "She is honestly a good girl at heart. The way she was raised has given her a...unique perspective on life. Perhaps these ten years will help her learn how to interact with people without looking down on them..."
Hearing Paracelsus' words, Vahn could only shrug noncommitally as he couldn't really empathize with the Alchemist's reaction. Though his words certainly hit the truth of the matter, Vahn knew he would probably lose it if a man had the 'audacity' to shock the butt of one of his women. Even he felt his actions were too much but, as Tristana really did need to change how she acted, it seemed like the correct thing to do at the time. Though he knew her figure had influenced his reaction a bit, Vahn felt he wasn't entirely to blame as he turned his eyes toward the silently staring Alaya. She had been watching him without blinking since the start and, after her sucking his blood previously, Vahn hadn't fully calmed down. When he got back to the Tohsaka Manor, he would need to seek out Fenrir or Ishtar, as they were the only two that would be able to deal with him in his current state...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'A Pacifist that would even make Gandhi bow his head...','Vahn needs male friends xD','RIP Tristana. Trying to act haughty in the same room as the Godhand...')
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Chapter 1103: Tensions
After waiting for Tristana's return, Vahn spent a short while explaining just the basics of what they would be facing in ten year's time. Since she was a Magus of the modern era, there was always a chance she would go forward within the Magus Community and expose his secrets too soon so Vahn only told her what she 'needed' to know. As for Paracelsus, he understood better than most how the Mage's Association could negatively affect its members so, instead of elaborating on what had told Tristana, he actually affirmed many of the details Vahn mentioned. Because of this, Tristana had a complex expression on her face as, towards the end of the discussion, she asked, "The two of you are serious, aren't you? Ten years...damn..." Though ten years wasn't exactly a short period of time, it seemed extremely short when talking about the potential extinction of mankind...
In response to Tritana's utterance, Vahn nodded his head, adding, "Though we do not necessarily require your assistance, I do not mind if you want to accompany Paracelsus. So long as you do not try and betray our organization, you will receive the same benefits as any Magus or Researcher that joins our cause. I can assure you that our ability to obtain rare and precious resources is unrivaled in the entire world. Assuming we are able to defeat Angra Mainyu, isn't a stretch to say you would be able to call yourself one of the most proficient and wealthy Alchemists in the entire world...consider your decision carefully, Tristana." With Paracelsus and Illya in his camp, Vahn knew there weren't any great benefits to having someone like Tristana around. However, as she had an ongoing relationship with Paracelsus, he wasn't going to split them apart and potentially risk having her expose his plans to the world in their nascent stage...
Hearing Vahn's words, Tristana showed a mildly contemptuous expression as she exclaimed, "What are you, some kind of..." Though she had almost reflexively insulted Vahn, the hardened look in the latter's eyes immediately caused Tristana's tone to chance as she quickly added, "Of course I will help out. What the hell am I supposed to do if the world suddenly comes to an end? I'm part of humanity too, you know...?"
With an approving nod, Vahn then looked away from Tristana, matching gazes with Paracelsus as he explained, "I'm not sure how the organization will be structured just yet, but you will be the Director of the Alchemical Research Department. Though I may ultimately choose to rely on a few elites, it is currently just as likely that we may expand to accommodate other Magi and support personnel. The way I do things have always been a little different from the norm, but that doesn't mean there won't be plenty of benefits. Just let me know what you and Tristana need and I'll do my best to facilitate you...also, before you get any ideas, Trist...Paracelsus will be the Head Director but the position of Deputy Director will belong to a woman named Illyasviel Von Einzbern. Do not go seeking trouble with her, understood...?"
Though she was tempted to rebut from the start, Tristana's words got caught in her throat when she heard Vahn mention the name Illyasviel Von Einzbern. In the modern era, there were no families more prodigious in the art of Alchemy than the Einzberns. Even the members of the Atlas academy, who specialized in Alchemy for thousands of years, ultimately failed to pass muster when directly compared to the Einzberns. With the rumors that most of there members were immortal Artifical Humans and Homunculi now, it was unlikely that anyone would overtake them in the future. They had a vast amount of knowledge related to Alchemy and, even though Paracelsus' skills were almost unmatchable, that didn't mean he was all-knowing in the myriad branches of Alchemy.
Taking Tristana's silence as understanding, Vahn gave another approving nod before saying, "We'll be moving locations in a few day's time. This place is relatively secure so I will leave you be until I have found a suitable location for our base of operations. Your ability to modify the land with your [Territory Creation] skill with be very useful since I intend for our base to be built on an island or within the mountains of Germany." Though Vahn was also tempted to build at the bottom of the sea or ocean, he knew this would probably be a terrible idea if they ever had to fend off an actual attack. Picking a terrain where even powerful Servants wouldn't be able to fight seemed like an extremely foolish idea, even though the thought of having an underwater base was strangely exciting...
With little left to discuss, Vahn talked a bit more with Paracelsus before deciding it was about time for him to head back. Artoria was likely waiting for him on the shore, assuming she hadn't decided to simply tread water while waiting for him above. Thus, even though it seemed like Tristana had plenty of questions she would like to ask, many pertaining to materials and finances, Vahn brought an end to the discussion by holding up his hand and saying, "We have plenty of time to discuss these kinds of things in the future. As you might expect, things are a bit hectic above, especially with the Greater Grail being destroyed. I have other things to take care of so I will return when we're ready to set up the base. As for your questions related to payment, Tristana...well, we can work out an actual contract later. Just know that I have no problems with you accruing wealth for yourself, so long as it does not interfere with the operations of other Departments in the future..."
Even if her own skills were lacking in comparison to people like Paracelsus and Illya, Vahn imagined that Tristana would become increasingly capable as time passed. He didn't mind if she used some of the materials provided to produce a few Magical Patents or disseminate some of her products into the larger market. Even Rin was largely dependent on her inherited patents for her wealth, disclosing to Vahn that she had actually struggled with debt for a few years before making arrangements with Luvia. She wasn't particularly well off now either, but that would change very quickly now that she had studied under Scáthach and had two goddesses residing within her body. Vahn imagined the Tohsaka family estate would grow exponentially over the next few years, an option that existed for Tristana's Valentinus family as well...
Having nothing left to discuss, Vahn created a small soundproof barrier around himself as he turned to Alaya and said, "Teleport me to where Artoria is." Since he knew she would be able to hear him, even if he was in a vacuum, Vahn's soundproofing was primarily to prevent Tristana from hearing what he was saying. She didn't know about the existence of Alaya just yet as, once his organization was established, there was a good chance Paracelsus' Atelier would be located in its own annex, away from the larger compound that would represent their base. Only the central figures in the organization, including trustworthy Heroic Spirits, would be privy to Alaya's existence.
Without missing a beat, Alaya immediately shifted Vahn to an area in the middle of the cold and salty sea. Though it was a bit jarring to go from a warm lab to a frigid sea, Vahn didn't mind it that much since he had already prepared for this potentiality. He quickly found where Artoria was treading water, causing Vahn to shake his head in mild exasperation because of how 'dutiful' she was as a Knight. It would have made a lot more sense for her to just wait for him on the shore but, as long as Vahn's status was 'unknown', Artoria would never leave the area near where they had parted. If something happened, she would undoubtedly do her best to come to his aid, pressure and cold be damned...
Though he was tempted to try and sneak up on Artoria, Vahn knew the attempt would ultimately be in vain so he simply swam toward he without making any effort to conceal himself. She had quickly noticed his approach, shortening the distance with a few strokes that cause them to get wrapped up in each other's counter currents once they were near each other. Neither Vahn nor Artoria were all that experienced in the water so they nearly collided with each other after trying to come to a stop, the momentum of the water carrying them forward. Both were able to easily avoid a direct collision, however, even if Vahn wouldn't have been all that against it with the current state of his body and mind...
After getting close enough for casual conversation, Vahn gave a concise explanation to Artoria about the mission's success before they both swam towards the distant shore. They couldn't even see the coast with their current orientation, but Vahn was still able to backtrack towards land by relying on his Minimap. As a result, they both moved like torpedos through the water, even passing a fishing vessel that was also heading inland. Less than a minute later, it was barely a dot on the horizon as Vahn and Artoria were traveling around 160km/h, much slower than their average speed on land but considerably faster than most common vessels and ships.
As a result of their superhuman pacing, it only took around three minutes for Vahn and Artoria to reach the shore, extricating themselves from the cold water and climbing onto the sandy beach. Vahn cast a glance towards Artoria's figure when she pulled herself from the wake, noticing her diving suit was thick enough to prevent her image from being 'compromised'. Regardless, she was still an ethereal beauty who could even pull off a diving suit as if it was high-fashion. The icing on the cake was how she slightly turned her face away, even though her eyes were locked with his. It was almost the same as her saying it was okay if he wanted to do something, even if she wasn't the type to overtly flirt and show affection in public...
Feeling that he was acting abnormally, Vahn looked towards the spot where Alaya was lingering, saying, "You should conceal yourself for the time being." This was immediately answered by Alaya imploding in a burst of blue light, accompanied by a feeling of relief that made it clear to Vahn that she was indeed the cause for his abnormal state. He would need to make sure she kept herself away from him unless he needed her assistance. When giving her 'samples' of his bodily fluids, he would also need someone like Fenrir around to make sure things don't suddenly get out of hand. Vahn suspected that Alaya couldn't influence the people around him in the same way as, according to his own observations, the primary reacting of most people around her was apprehension and a small amount of fear...
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After changing into casual clothes, Vahn and Artoria made their way back to the Tohsaka Manor using public transport. He figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to just enjoy a short date with Artoria while also seeing how long it took his body to calm down after Alaya's presence had disappeared. Since Artoria was a lot more open to things like handholding and sitting together on the train, now that it was just the two of them, Vahn enjoyed the hour-long trip quite a bit. Though they drew a lot of attention to themselves, looking like a couple of European models, most people had enough sense to leave them in peace. Compared to the average Japanese man, standing around 171cm tall, Vahn's 185cm made him tower over most people. Since he was wearing casual yet fashionable clothes, his muscular figure was a deterrent to anyone that wanted to gawk at Artoria, especially with the natural aura that persisted around his body due to [Will of the Emperor].
Completing the last leg of their journey hand-in-hand, Artoria's feet began to drag until they had both come to a stop around one block away from the Tohsaka Manor. She didn't seem to be in a bad mood so Vahn adopted a gentle smile on his face before asking, "Is there something...?" In response to this, Artoria gave a slightly awkward smile before saying, "I can tell you have been acting strangely since earlier...if you're fine with me, I will do what I can..." The moment these words his ears, the 'list' within Vahn's mind suddenly had Artoria's and Fenrir's names at the top, pushing Ishtar down to the third position among candidates he intended to spend time with after returning.
Knowing Artoria was pushing herself to make an effort in their budding relationship, Vahn lightly touched her chin with his index finger and thumb before giving her a short and rather tame kiss. This caused her face to flash as her eyes darted to the surroundings, even though the streets were more or less empty around this region in the late afternoon. Only the wealthy and affluent lived in this area so, other than the occasional expensive-looking car, the streets and sidewalks were almost completely empty. Still, her reaction made Vahn's heart soften a great deal as he lightly guided her to look back at him, saying, "It would be my honor, Artoria...thank you..."
---
Awakening from a relatively rare seven hours of sleep, Vahn released a contented sigh as he enjoyed the warmth of the three girls curled up in his embrace. Fenrir had been a necessary inclusion into his plans but, after returning with Artoria, Gray ended up getting wrapped up in the momentum as well. She would be returning to London with Rin and Sakura in a few day's time so, even though she was usually more demure and reserved, it didn't take much to 'trigger' her at the moment. It was obvious she was worried the distance apart might make her feelings change slightly so Vahn made sure to carve a few tender memories deep into her heart, mind, and body. As a result, even though the spot would normally have been occupied by Fenrir under such circumstances, Vahn had Gray sleeping against his chest with her legs straddling his waist as she had rolled over onto Fenrir in the middle of the night after curling up atop his body and failing to keep her orientation while asleep...
Though Fenrir awoke almost at the exact same moment as him, Vahn smiled affectionately while looking at the sleeping faces of Gray and Artoria at his side. Gray had a contented and natural smile on her face as she gently exhaled ticklish breaths against his chest. As for Artoria, she barely moved at all while she slept while her expression was largely neutral as she clung to his bicep with her left hand. This didn't make her look any less beautiful, however, as Vahn knew he could make her smile whenever he wanted. When she woke up, Vahn intended to do just that but, for the time being, he shifted his focus onto the only awake girl, asking, "How are you feeling...?"
In response to this question, Fenrir gave a mock bashful look before lightly licking Vahn's shoulder with her ruby-red tongue. This told Vahn that she was perfectly prepared to continue, something she was subtly aware he was thinking about. Though Vahn had 'pushed' himself and the girls a bit more than normal the previous night, his tensions hadn't been fully released. The only reason things had come to an end was due to the fact that Gray had started chaffing a bit since her body wasn't yet accustomed to long sessions of lovemaking. Fenrir tried to teach her a few 'techniques' to help her last longer in the bedroom, turning the entire session into an impromptu lesson where Vahn served as her partner for some relatively intense plays. Artoria had 'mistakenly' attempted one herself but, even with her flexible body, she began to cramp up quickly when Vahn had her right foot practically behind her head as he raised her hips in a rather awkward, but highly effective position...
As tempted as he was to go for a seventeenth round, Vahn lightly shook his head since he didn't want Gray and Artoria to develop the mentality that they couldn't just 'relax' when sharing a bed with him. Though Gray would probably get into the mood pretty quickly, Vahn didn't want the first thing she experienced getting comfortable on his chest to be Fenrir suddenly licking her exposed lower body. If they wanted to continue on their own, Vahn would be more than happy to oblige, but there were still other matters he needed to attend. Thus, with a bit of reluctance, Vahn gently stroked Gray's back until her eyelids slowly peeled open, revealing the stark blue gems within. She seemed a little confused at first but, after Vahn tilted her chin and began kissing her, Gray began to reciprocate almost immediately. He didn't 'push' her too much, however, pulling away shortly after they had begun to smile and say, "Good morning..."
With a sincerely bashful smile on her face, Gray moved her hips somewhat uncomfortably as she answered, "Good morning, Vahn..." This was the first time Gray had slept naked atop a man so, now that she had awoken, her heart was beginning to beat madly in her chest. Vahn's body had an almost addictive warmth that, after experiencing, Gray wasn't sure she would ever be able to sleep comfortably on a 'normal' bed. She actually didn't like being naked all that much, as she had grown accustomed to wearing several layers of clothing, but all of that faded away as she felt Vahn's body heat feeding into her own. This made Gray feel slightly feverish as a simultaneously cool yet hot sensation embarrassingly persisted around her exposed lower body...
Understanding that Gray was the type that got into the mood almost as soon as her switch was flipped, Vahn couldn't help smiling before placing another tame kiss on her lips and saying, "I have some things to take care of. If you're not against it, I'd like to spend more time with you before you have to return to London..." Though he didn't expressly say they would have sex, Gray's current state made her instantly infer that was his intention. As a result, a small trickle of moisture tickled Vahn's lower abdomen as she nodded her head in response. Seeing her like this made Vahn consider if it would be prudent to make another Space-Time Orb for Gray's personal use. However, fearing what she might become if she were alone with his Memory Fragment, Vahn ultimately decided it wasn't the best idea...
After helping the girls wipe down their bodies and watching them get dressed, something that made Gray even more embarrassed than when they had sex, Vahn reluctantly parted ways with the three dutiful girls. He had promised Illya before entering into the Sub-Space Orb that he would spend some time with her this evening. She had been showing a lot of patience and maturity with her current situation but, viewing things objectively, Vahn knew he hadn't been giving her the attention he ought to. Though she would most likely become a central figure in his life while Rin, Sakura, and Gray were in London, that didn't mean he should be 'ignoring' her right now. After all, she literally had a world-ending beast inhabiting her body that he was supposed to be helping tame by making Illya happy...
With that in mind, Vahn checked the system to see that it was only 7:06 PM in the outside world, meaning he could still tuck Sakura into bed if Illya didn't keep him too long. Though he knew she was something of a ticking time bomb, for various reasons, Vahn decided he shouldn't let Illya see any of his apprehensions unless she tried to pressure him into something. Since she called him 'Onii-sama', Vahn intended to treat her like a little sister, even though their relationship would likely have more skinship than normal. After all, with Cath Palug inside of her, Vahn imagined Illya would be especially sensitive to petting and, as she seemed starved for human contact even more than Gray, he already prepared himself for the inevitability that she would push his boundaries a bit...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Paracelsus' plus-one xD','Gray and Artoria are adorable','Godhand vs. Primate Murder...with the fate of the world on the line!?')
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